The employment in the country is not increasing in line with the gross domestic product (GDP), speakers said claiming that such GDP without employment is not expected.
There are different mega projects going on in the country and the feasibility of the projects has to be pondered on as well, they said.
The speakers said this while addressing ‘Citizen’s Budget Parliament 2018’ at Chowdhury Senate Bhaban of the Dhaka University on Sunday.
Democratic Budget Movement, Parliamentary Caucus on National Planning and Budget, and Centre on Budget and Policy of Dhaka University jointly organised the event.
People from different regions, occupations, and characteristics participated at the fourth People’s Budget Assembly.
Social Welfare Minister Rashed Khan Menon, joined the programme as the chief guest, while Fazle Hossain Badsha, vice president of parliamentary caucus on national Planning and Budget affairs, presided over the inaugural meeting.
Dr Pratima Paul Majumder presided over the democratic budget movement session - graced by the presence of MP Kazi Rosy, according to a media release.
The social welfare minister said, “National budget should reflect on Dalit, indigenous, differently able and backward communities. In addition, the attitude towards them should be changed as well.”
“Also, the employment issue should be clearly outlined in the budget. Else, the unemployment will keep rising,” he noted.
Mr Menon, “The employment is not increasing in the country in line with increasing GDP. National service for eliminating unemployment has been introduced but to a limited scale. Allowance for unemployment is a temporary solution only. We have no alternative to increasing scopes of work.”
Mr Badsha said, “We dreamt of district-wise budget allocation, which is yet to be a reality. Caucus has taken a few steps towards this goal. Today’s people’s budget will discuss it with importance.”
Venting his disappointment on the issue, Dr Abul Barkat said, “The number of unemployed people in Bangladesh is 2.60 million according to the government estimation but is more than one 10 million in reality. We have to think about the GDP without employment.”
“Development doesn’t mean merely economic development. Education, Health and many other issues are involved with this. So, budget management without budget expansion will not be fruitful.”
Kazi Abdul Wadud Dara, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on ministry of food, Zahid Ahsan Russell, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on youth and sports ministry, Farah Kabir, country director of ActionAid, Dr Abul Barkat, president of Bangladesh Economic Association, Dr Rashid-E-Mahbub, chairman of the National Committee of Health Right's Movement, were present at the programme as special guests.